Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S20: 5 Reasons To Upgrade
Samsung has officially ended software support for the Galaxy S20 series. While the device still works, it’s becoming less relevant in the current tech landscape. If you’re debating an upgrade, here are five compelling reasons to switch to the Galaxy S25—a future-ready flagship that raises the bar across the board.
Originally launched in 2020, the S20 stood out with a refined design and impressive performance for its time. But Samsung’s leap over the past five years has made the Galaxy S25 series a must-have, especially if you’ve held on to the S20.
Let’s break down why the S25 is a smart upgrade.
Display and design
The Galaxy S20 had a familiar form factor, echoing the S10 with a new rectangular camera bump. Its top-tier model offered a 6.9-inch display, with 120Hz refresh rate and 1200 nits peak brightness.
- However, it lacked major design evolution and had noticeable bezels.
- The refresh rate, although adaptive, only switched between 60Hz and 120Hz.
With the Galaxy S25, Samsung has completely revamped the physical design and screen quality.
- All models feature a flat frame with an ultra-slim, seamless display.
- The S25 Ultra introduces a titanium frame, enhancing durability and aesthetics.
Additionally, the S25 series boasts a 2600-nit peak brightness, 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and anti-reflective coating on the Ultra model.
- This results in better daylight visibility and improved viewing angles, areas where the S20 falls short.
- The bezels are slimmer, creating a more immersive visual experience.
Performance
Performance differences between these two series are substantial. The S20 series was powered by 7nm Snapdragon 865 and Exynos 990, which were high-end chips at the time.
- They handled multitasking well but lacked long-term efficiency and AI power.
- Heat management and battery efficiency were moderate.
The Galaxy S25, on the other hand, is equipped with a cutting-edge 3nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite processor.
- According to Geekbench, it’s over 150% faster in single-core and 212% faster in multi-core performance compared to the S20.
- App launches, gaming, and power efficiency are noticeably better.
This level of performance ensures future-proofing and seamless use of new software features.
Camera
The camera upgrade alone makes a strong case for switching. The S20 and S20+ had 12MP wide-angle sensors, while the S20 Ultra offered a 108MP sensor.
- Though capable, the image quality struggled in low light and zoomed shots lacked detail.
- The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses were basic in dynamic range and clarity.
The Galaxy S25 dramatically improves these areas.
- The base models now include 50MP wide-angle cameras, while the S25 Ultra features a 200MP sensor.
- It also packs 50MP telephoto and 10MP secondary zoom lenses.
These upgrades translate to superior low-light photography, detailed zoom, and vibrant ultra-wide images.
- Night shots are clearer, more vibrant, and the S25’s AI image processing enhances every detail.
AI
The S25 is not just about hardware—it’s a leap into AI-driven experiences. With the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, Galaxy S25 brings deep integration of Galaxy AI features.
- You get tools like Generative AI, AI object eraser, AI transcripts, Circle to Search, and more.
- Features like natural language search and smart organization in the Gallery make the user experience faster and smarter.
None of these innovations are supported by the S20 due to its older chip and software limitations.
- This puts the S20 far behind in the AI-powered era of smartphones.
Software
This is perhaps the most important reason to upgrade. The Galaxy S25 series ships with One UI 7 (Android 15), introducing a fresh interface with:
- Redesigned app icons
- Enhanced animations
- Advanced personalization options
It also comes with a promise of 7 years of software updates, meaning you’ll receive support until Android 22 (One UI 14) or the year 2032.
- The S20, by contrast, received only 3 years of updates and is now unsupported.
- Security patches, new features, and bug fixes are no longer guaranteed.
From display to AI to long-term software support, the Galaxy S25 series represents a massive leap forward. If you’re still using the S20, upgrading to the S25 gives you better design, performance, camera, and future-ready features that make it a solid investment for the years ahead.
